Impulse momentum dry flow sensor with linear force transducer and suspension therefor

摘要

An impulse momentum dry flow sensor includes a plate for mounting in a "dead-end" turn of a granular material carrying conduit, a leaf spring suspension to limit its movement to substantially a horizontal plane, and a linear force transducer to measure the force applied to the plate by granular material negotiating the turn. The linear force transducer includes an inclined plate mounted in a chute to be impacted by a flow of granular material, the plate being supported by one or more leaf springs from the chute. An actuator rod is mounted to the plate and extends to a servo mechanism which generates a force to resist deflection of the plate, the actuator rod being supported by a pair of spaced leaf springs. The servo mechanism includes an electro-magnetic force generator to apply a force to the actuator rod, with an electronic circuit to produce an electrical current in response to a force applied to the inclined plate to energize the electromagnetic force generator.